Gaming player image capture and display systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for capturing images of gaming players and incorporating such images for display into casino games are disclosed. Such casino games can include reel, reel simulation or card games. Methods can include using a camera to capture at a casino game an image of a player located within the field of view of the camera, electronically sensing the image captured by the camera, and electronically displaying at least a portion of the electronically sensed image on a first electronic display associated with the casino game such that the displayed portion of the image is utilized within the play of the casino game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.10/272,722, entitled “SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF CAPTURING A PLAYER'SIMAGE FOR INCORPORATION INTO A GAME,” filed on Oct. 17, 2002, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/551,034 of the same title, filed on Apr. 17, 2000, now abandoned,each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety andfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a system for and method ofcapturing a player's image for incorporation into a game, especiallycasino type wagering video game.

Many games such as casino video games, employ visual effects to enhanceplayer excitement and enthusiasm. Some video enhancements include videosimulation of spinning reels and “virtual” displays of live casino tablegames.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a system and method of capturing animage of a player of a game and displaying the player's image inassociation with the game, such as on a screen of a casino video gamemachine. Preferably the player's image is utilized within the play ofthe game being played by the player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a front view of a casino videogame machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;and

FIGS. 2 a, b, and c, are front, side, and perspective illustrations of aTV camera system that may be utilized in an embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the sameitem.

There is shown in FIG. 1 a casino video game machine 10 generallyconfigured as a “slant top” machine in which a player usually sits on astool or chair in front of the machine 10. It should be appreciated froma further reading of the preferred embodiment that the instant inventionmay be employed with a wide variety of games, however, such as “upright”stand alone video game machines, such as casino table games, and such asgames played with a computer monitor and keyboard.

The machine 10 includes a generally boxed shaped base 12 that houseselectronics and other equipment used in the operation of the game. Themachine 10 also includes a slanted section 14 that contains a main gamevideo monitor 16, a series of game control buttons 18 (although theinvention contemplates that touch screen, light pen, track ball, mouse,and other game control facilities may be utilized), and monetaryacceptance devices 20, such as a bill validator, a coin comparator, andan electronic funds transfer device. The machine 10 also includes anupper display section 22 that may contain graphic displays, lights, anda second video monitor 24. A display sign 26 may be mounted on top ofthe machine 10.

In addition to the foregoing features, the game machine 10 according toa preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a TV camera 28,which includes generally a video camera 30, a light source 32, an LCDdisplay 34, and an LCD driver board 36. The TV camera 28 is preferablymounted above the slanted section 14 of the machine 10 and is generallyoriented toward the area where a player's head and face would usually belocated during the play of the game. In a preferred embodiment, thevideo camera utilizes a 6 mm lens, a field of view of approximately 35degrees vertical by 45 degrees horizontal, and a depth of focus that isinfinite.

The LCD display 34 may be used to show preloaded still shots or motionpictures that either advertise the casino or the game, or are directedspecifically toward the play of the game. For example, the LCD display34 may show messages such as “Be A Winner,” “Win A Jackpot,” or “BigBuffet at Noon in the Squire Room,” or may display motion pictures ofentertainment groups performing at the casino or other activitiesassociated with the casino. It is also contemplated within the broadscope of the instant invention that the TV camera may have a mode ofoperation as an informational kiosk which includes push button, touchscreen, or other control systems by which a person may view a display ofa map of the casino, information on various events happening at thecasino, and similar information. It is also contemplated that the TVcamera may include sound speakers and a system by which a person maycommunicate telephonically with a person in a hotel room of the casino,with the casino hotel concierge, with the casino staff to reportproblems with the machine, and with other persons for casino relatedmatters.

The video camera 30 captures an image within the field of view of thelens of the video camera 30, which would usually include the head andface of a player who plays the machine 10. Instead of the image beingcaptured on photographic film, the image is captured through anelectronic sensor board (not shown). The images captured on theelectronic sensor board may be selectively used for a variety ofpurposes, including verification of the identity of a player with aplayer tracking card used by the player of the machine 10 and includingsecurity purposes. In the preferred embodiment, he video camera 30 isused to capture a player's image on selected occasions during theplayer's play of the casino game on the machine 10. In a preferredembodiment, the player's image is replicated continuously in real timefor a selected time interval on the LCD display 34 along with some sortof countdown, which may a display of numerals decreasing in value to 0on the LCD display 34 or by a sound command, which may be a preloadedsoundtrack of a person voicing the count down and giving similarinstructions. At the end of the countdown, the player's image is used asa “still shot” and is replicated on at least one of the monitors 16, 24for use in connection with the play of the game. It is contemplated thatthe player's “still shot” may be displayed on at least one of themonitors 16, 24 in a preselected location, that the player's image maybe utilized as the “head” of an animated person or character appearingon the monitor 16, 24, or as a symbol on a series of simulated reels orcards appearing on the monitor 16, 24. The invention also contemplatesthat the player's image captured by the video camera 30 may be croppedso that only the player's head (and no background) is replicated on oneof the monitors 16, 24. The image of the player captured by the videocamera 30 either may be a “still shot” or may be continuously displayedin real time on at least one of the monitors 16, 24 or on anotherdisplay in the casino.

The player's image may be utilized in the play of a primary game, or maybe displayed only, or also, in connection with a secondary event orbonus game.

In an alternative embodiment, a player may push a button to initiate thetaking of a still shot picture, or the player may push a button whichpermits a still picture of the player to be retaken if the player isdissatisfied with the initial still picture.

The invention also contemplates that the images of more than one playermay be replicated in the play of the game. Thus, for example, if thegame involves two boxers, outer space warriors, or car racers, then theimages of multiple players may be correspondingly placed with anassociated one of the characters in the game.

The present invention also contemplates that the player's image may bereplicated on one or more display screens positioned so as to be readilyviewed by other casino patrons at various locations around the casino,or in the display sign 26 located on top of the machine 10. If forexample, a player hits a jackpot or otherwise achieves a special event,then the player's image may be widely displayed for purposes ofgenerating interest in the game and which for most players will givethem the satisfaction of publicizing their success at the game.

The invention further contemplates that the player's image captured bythe video camera 30 would also be relayed to the casino's security sothat if a player makes an obscene gesture or the image is otherwiseoffensive, then the casino security may override the system and deleteor cancel the display of the player's image. The invention may alsoemploy an image recognition system that scans the image for featuressuch as two eyes, a nose, a mouth, a chin, etc. and if the image doesnot contain such features or a preselected minimum number of suchfeatures, then the system will reject the image and not display theimage.

It should be appreciated that the TV camera 28 may be mounted at avariety of locations in, on, about, or near the machine 10 and that thevideo camera 30 need not be positioned adjacent to the LCD display 34.The invention also contemplates that more than one video camera 30 maybe utilized so that a preferred view of the player may be selected or sothat a three dimensional image may be created and replicated on monitorsand display screens.

Because the ambient light in the vicinity of a player may beinsufficient to create quality contrast in the player's captured image,the TV camera 28 further includes a light source 32 that may beselectively activated to shine a predetermined intensity of lightgenerally toward objects in the field of view of the video camera 30.

The present invention also contemplates that the still shot of theplayer's image may be replicated on photographic paper or other paper bymeans of a suitable printer. The machine 10, in such an embodiment,would include a source of such paper, a printer, and a dispenser so thatthe player may keep the printed image as a takeaway memento. The paper,printer, and dispenser may also be located at a remote location.Preferably the printed material includes not only the player's image,but also a recognizable feature, logo, or name of the game and thecasino, the dollar value of the player's winnings, the player's name,and other information. If the player uses a player tracking card duringthe play of the game, then data from the card may be electronicallytransmitted to the printer for inclusion on the memento.

At a selected time, such as at the end of a round of play of the game,any player image being displayed would be erased.

The operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention willnow be described. A player places an appropriate amount of money in themonetary acceptance device 20 and begins play of a video draw poker gamein which the cards are displayed in the monitor 16 and in which theplayer implements his or her decisions concerning the play of the gamethrough the control buttons 18. The player either gains credits or losescredits according to a preestablished payoff table based generally uponthe poker rank of the hand achieved by the player. If the playerachieves a very good poker hand, such as five of a kind (which may beachieved by using wild cards in a standard deck of 52 cards), then theplayer may be automatically enrolled in the play of a secondary eventgame or bonus game. At this time, the monitors 16, 24 may flash variousmessages concerning the bonus game, and lights, bells, whistles, andother attention getting signals may be activated. Soon thereafter, apreloaded motion picture of a person pretending to be a motion picturedirector appears on the LCD display 34 and announces (through the soundsystems associated with the machine 10 or the TV camera 28) that theplayer is going into a bonus round and enthusiastically commands theplayer to get ready to have his or her picture taken. The producer thenbegins a countdown such as “ready, set, go” or “five, four, three, two,one, zero.” During the countdown, the light source 32 is activated, andthe player's image is captured by the video camera 30 and replicated onat least a portion of the LCD display 34, such as within an oval shapedarea appearing centrally on the LCD display 34. During the countdown,the player can see his or her image replicated on the LCD display 34 andcan adjust his or her position, smile, and otherwise arrange themselvesin a desirable pose. At the end of a countdown, a still shot of theplayer's image is taken and replicated on at least a portion of themonitor 16, again, which may be in an oval shaped area on the monitor16. The player then plays a secondary event or bonus game, which, forexample, may be a game of “Family Feud,” by which the player may winadditional credits. The secondary event game may be played on either ofthe monitors 16, 24 or both of the monitors 16, 24. At the end of playof the secondary event game, the player's image is erased from thesystem and disappears from both the LCD display and the monitors 16, 24.

It is to be understood, that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoingdescription, together with details of the structure and function of theinvention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be madein detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of partsor types, of material within the principles of the invention to the fullextent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated herein, it should be recognized thatmodifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in theart and that such modifications and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Consequently, theinvention as claimed below may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described above.

1. A gaming system adapted to capture real-time player images forincorporation into associated wager based games, comprising: means forpresenting a wager based game involving the placement of a wager, theplay of a first game based on said wager, and the grant of a monetaryaward based on the outcome of said first game; means for capturing areal-time image of a player of said wager based game while said playeris at or near said means for presenting said wager based game; means forelectronically sensing said real-time image captured by said capturingmeans; means for rejecting said real-time image if said real-time imagedoes not include a minimum number of facial features; and means forelectronically displaying at least a portion of said real-time image ona first electronic display associated with said wager based game suchthat the displayed portion of said real-time image is utilized withinthe play of said wager based game.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1,wherein said minimum number of facial features includes two eyes, anose, a mouth, and a chin.
 3. A system adapted to capture player imagesfor incorporation into associated wager based games, comprising: acamera adapted to capture a first player image of a player of a wagerbased game, said wager based game involving the placement of a wager,the play of a first game based on said wager, and the grant of amonetary award based on the outcome of said first game; an imagerecognition system adapted to scan said first player image captured bysaid camera for a plurality of facial features, said image recognitionsystem being further adapted to reject said first player image if saidfirst player image does not include a preselected minimum number offacial features; and a first display associated with said wager basedgame, said first display adapted to display at least a portion of saidfirst player image along with at least a portion of said wager basedgame during the play of said wager based game.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein said minimum number of facial features includes two eyes, anose, a mouth, and a chin.
 5. The system of claim 3, further including:a gaming machine adapted to administer and present said wager basedgame.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said first display is includedas a component of said gaming machine.
 7. The system of claim 5, whereinsaid gaming machine is configured as a slant top machine whereby aplayer may sit on a stool or chair in front of the gaming machine. 8.The system of claim 5, wherein said camera is mounted at or near saidgaming machine and is oriented toward the area where a player's head andface would usually be located during the play of a game at said gamingmachine.
 9. The system of claim 5, further including: one or moreadditional displays associated with said wager based game, said one ormore additional displays adapted to display at least a portion of saidfirst player image at one or more locations remote from said camera andremote from said gaming machine.
 10. The system of claim 3, wherein saidcamera includes speakers and a communication system adapted to provideaudio communications to one or more remote locations.
 11. The system ofclaim 3, further including: an electronic sensor board adapted for usein verifying the identity of said player by utilizing said first playerimage.
 12. The system of claim 3, further including: one or more playercontrols that enable said player to initiate the capture of said firstplayer image.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said one or moreplayer controls include at least one control that enables said playerinitiate the capture of a second player image of said player if saidplayer is dissatisfied with said first player image.
 14. A method ofcapturing and displaying player images in association with wager basedgames comprising: accepting at a gaming machine a wager from a firstplayer for a wager based game, said wager based game involving theplacement of a wager, the play of a first game based on said wager, andthe grant of a monetary award based on the outcome of said first game;using a first camera to capture a first player image of said firstplayer of said wager based game; scanning said first player image forone or more facial features, wherein said one or more facial featurescomprise at least one of a chin, a nose, a mouth and eyes; rejectingsaid first player image if said first player image does not include aminimum number of facial features; playing said wager game based on saidwager from said first player; and displaying at least a portion of saidfirst player image and at least a portion of the play of said wagerbased game simultaneously on a display at said gaming machine.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein said camera is located at said gamingmachine.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein said displaying stepincludes displaying at least a portion of an unrejected first playerimage such that said unrejected first player image is combined with avideo depiction of a figure to create a video character image comprisinga video depiction of said first player imposed on the video depiction ofthe figure, and is displayed in the playing portion associated with saidfirst player.
 17. The method of claim 14, further including the step of:using a second camera positioned at a location different from said firstcamera to capture a second player image for display on said display. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein said second player image is of a playerother than said first player.
 19. The method of claim 14, furtherincluding the step of: comparing said first player image to an imageassociated with a player tracking card used by said first player. 20.The method of claim 14, further including the step of: displaying atleast a portion of said first player image on an additional displaylocated remotely from said gaming machine.